Eisa in Prague: Understanding Cultural Fluidity in a Globalized Context

• Thesis title in Czech: Eisa in Prague: Understanding Cultural Fluidity in a Globalized Context
• Thesis title in English: Eisa in Prague: Understanding Cultural Fluidity in a Globalized Context
• Key words: Globalizace, lokální, kulturní plynulost, kulturní místo, Scaps, Okinawa, Praha, Eisa
• English key words: Globalization, Local, Cultural fluidity, Cultural plactice, Scaps, Okinawa, Prague, Eisa
• Academic year of topic announcement: 2023/2024
• Thesis type: diploma thesis
• Thesis language: angličtina
• Department: Department of Sociology (23-KS)
• Supervisor: doc. Alessandro Testa, Ph.D.
• Author: hidden - assigned by the advisor
• Date of registration: 30.09.2024
• Date of assignment: 30.09.2024

Guidelines

This research aims to understand the fluidity and complexity of culture in the context of
globalization by examining the practice of Eisa in Prague. For this purpose, the theoretical
framework will use Arjun Appadurai's concept of "scapes" (Appadurai 1995) to discuss the
interaction between local and global dynamics, hybrid cultural practices, and the formation of
identity.
The research method will combine participant observation and interviews. The advantage of this
approach is that it allows for obtaining information that one method alone does not provide, or
using each method to shed light on the other (Hammersley & Atkinson 2007).
The subject of the research is the only European branch of the Eisa group “Ryukyukoku Matsuri
Daiko”, which is based in Okinawa and has branches worldwide.
As part of the participant observation, the researcher will join the Eisa members in their activities
as one of them. Specifically, the researcher will participate in the practice sessions held every
Tuesday and Thursday night for two hours at a sports center, as well as perform with them at
cultural exchange events in and outside of Prague. By experiencing these activities as an internal
practitioner rather than as an external observer, more active interaction with the members is
expected. Field notes will be created after each observation, categorized by time sequence or
events, and analyzed accordingly.
In addition, semi-structured interviews will be conducted with all members (approximately 10
people). This will reveal more personal experiences such as the Eisa practitioners' motivation,
sense of belonging, and commitment to Eisa. If any of the interviewees can only communicate in
languages other than those understood by the researcher (Japanese or English), a translator will
be used to conduct the interview. The interviews will be transcribed, and the collected data will be
analyzed using thematic analysis to identify connections and themes within the data. This
approach will help organize and describe the data, uncover underlying patterns, and provide a
comprehensive understanding of the members' experiences and thoughts.

References

1.Appadurai, A. 1996. Modernity at Large: Cultural Dimensions of Globalization. The University of
Minnesota Press.
2. Bhabha, H. K. 2004. The location of culture. Routledge.11. Emerson, R.M., Fretz, R. & Linda L. S.
2011. Writing Ethnographic Fieldnotes. 2nd edition.London, Chicago: Chicago University Press.
3. Castells, M. 1996. The rise of the network society. Blackwell.
4. Friedman, J. 1994. Cultural identity and global process.London: Sage Publications
5. Hammersley, M., & Atkinson, P. 2007. Ethnography: Principles in practice. Routledge.
6. Hannerz, U. 1996. Transnational connections: Culture, people, places. Routledg.
7. Itani, Y. 2021. Moashibi kara Eisa e. [From Mo Ashibi to Eisa].
8. Johnson, H. 2008. Recontextualizing EISA: Transformations in religious, competition, festival and
tourism contexts. Performing Japan. pp.196–217.
9. Kuwae, T. 2008.Toshi shukusai wo ninau hitobito [People on the Move, Settling, and Cultural
“Creation”]. Shigehiko Shiromizu (ed.) Idousuru hitobito, henkasuru bunka grobalization to
identity [People on the Move, Transforming Culture: Globalization and Identity]. P.163-187
10. Morita, M & Shirota, A. 2022. Odoru “Hawaii”, Odoru “Okinawa” [Dancing “Hawaii”, Dancing
“Okinawa].
11. Nederveen Pieterse, J. 2009. Globalization and culture: Global mélange (2nd ed.). Rowman &
Littlefield.
12. Siemann, Y. 2017. ‘Transmitting the message of Okinawa by drums’: Representations of
Japanese-ness and Okinawan-ness in Okinawan dance in Santa Cruz, Bolivia. Contemporary
Japan, 29(2), 177–192.
13. Skinner, J. 2012. The interview: An ethnographic approach. Berg.
14. Terada,Y. 2011.Ongaku, geino eno “omoi” wa kiroku dekirunoka? -”Osaka no eisa” no seisaku to
joei wo megutte. [Is it possible to record "feelings" toward music and entertainment? - Regarding
the production and screening of “Osaka no Eisa”], Miraiwo hiraku jinbun, shakai kagaku, 15, 37-
47.
15. Wulff, H. 2014. Dancing at the crossroads: Memory and mobility in Ireland. University of Notre
Dame Press.

Preliminary scope of work

In the contemporary globalized society, understanding the fluidity and complexity of culture is
crucial. This project examines how Eisa is practiced in Prague, showing how cultural practices can
move and transform across different socio-political, geographical, and cultural settings.
Eisa, originating from Okinawa in Japan, is a drum dance characterized by colorful costumes and
dynamic movements. Existing literature primarily documents the historical changes of Eisa, its
connection to Buddhist rituals, and its role in Okinawan cultural identity (Johnson 2008, Morita &
Shirota 2022, Terada 2011). Much of the previous research has focused on Eisa practices not only
in Okinawa but also in mainland Japan and the overseas diasporas; however, these discussions
have largely remained within the local context of Okinawa, emphasizing connections to Okinawa,
ethnic identity, and representations of Okinawan culture. In contrast, Eisa in Prague cannot be put
into such discussion because it has emerged suddenly without such cultural and social
backgrounds. The Eisa group in Prague is unprecedented, as there is no Okinawa diaspora in
Prague and all current members are from the Czech Republic and do not have any background
related to Okinawa.
By investigating the practice of Eisa in this new context, this study aims to fill a research gap in Eisa
studies that has been limited in scope and explore how culture changes and is understood in
global contexts. Understanding the impact on local communities and individuals, as well as the
cultural dynamics of Eisa in Prague, is particularly important today as globalization continues to
influence cultural exchange and local communities. By deepening our understanding of how
cultures transform in new socio-political and cultural settings, this study aims to contribute to
broader discussions on the fluidity of cultural practices, cultural diversity, and intercultural
relations.

Preliminary scope of work in English

In the contemporary globalized society, understanding the fluidity and complexity of culture is
crucial. This project examines how Eisa is practiced in Prague, showing how cultural practices can
move and transform across different socio-political, geographical, and cultural settings.
Eisa, originating from Okinawa in Japan, is a drum dance characterized by colorful costumes and
dynamic movements. Existing literature primarily documents the historical changes of Eisa, its
connection to Buddhist rituals, and its role in Okinawan cultural identity (Johnson 2008, Morita &
Shirota 2022, Terada 2011). Much of the previous research has focused on Eisa practices not only
in Okinawa but also in mainland Japan and the overseas diasporas; however, these discussions
have largely remained within the local context of Okinawa, emphasizing connections to Okinawa,
ethnic identity, and representations of Okinawan culture. In contrast, Eisa in Prague cannot be put
into such discussion because it has emerged suddenly without such cultural and social
backgrounds. The Eisa group in Prague is unprecedented, as there is no Okinawa diaspora in
Prague and all current members are from the Czech Republic and do not have any background
related to Okinawa.
By investigating the practice of Eisa in this new context, this study aims to fill a research gap in Eisa
studies that has been limited in scope and explore how culture changes and is understood in
global contexts. Understanding the impact on local communities and individuals, as well as the
cultural dynamics of Eisa in Prague, is particularly important today as globalization continues to
influence cultural exchange and local communities. By deepening our understanding of how
cultures transform in new socio-political and cultural settings, this study aims to contribute to
broader discussions on the fluidity of cultural practices, cultural diversity, and intercultural
relations.